Exciting news awaits fans of the beloved Japanese manga series Shaman King and its anime adaptation, as the highly-anticipated sequel is set to grace screens in January 2024. The release of its trailer on YouTube has fans excited to see what comes of their favourite childhood heroes and what adventures await the next generation of shamans.
Although the brief, thirty-second trailer doesn’t divulge many details about the upcoming series, it offers a glimpse into the new world of Shaman King. Viewers are treated to scenes of familiar and new faces showcasing their martial arts prowess, building intrigue around the forthcoming sequel. The trailer culminates with the much-anticipated release date of January 9, 2024, marking a date that fans are eagerly awaiting.
The sequel’s narrative delves into the struggles of Hana Asakura, he son of legendary warrior Yo Asakura, and the younger brother of Hao, the current Shaman Kang. Despite his family’s storied history in the Shaman Fight, Hana finds himself unable to find his place as a shaman, leading to a sense of despair. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when two individuals from another branch of the Asakura family challenge him for supremacy in front of the flower.
Shaman King Flowers is the first anime adaptation of the sequel manga and follows up the events of the Shaman Kang reboot that premiered on Netflix in 2021. The original show followed the journey of Yoh Asakura, a then-13-year-old boy, who competed against other shamans in the bi-millenial Shaman Fight. The winner of this competition gains dominion over the Great Spirit and assumes the title of Shaman King.
The upcoming series will feature the return of many original anime voice actors, including Yoko Hikasa, Katsuyuki Konishi, Sumire Uesaka, Shun Horie, and Michiko Kaiden. This decision has been well-received by fans, acknowledging the actors’ excellent portrayal of their roles. Additional cast members for Shaman King Flowers include Kentaro Ito, Kenta Miyake, and Chihiro Ueda.
Director Takeshi Furuta and animation studio Bridge, who worked on the original anime, will also make a comeback. Furuta will once again lead the show, with Bridge handling the production.
Fan reception to Shaman King Flowers is further proof that Japanese anime is becoming increasingly mainstream and attracting more audiences. Just last month, Amazon Prime Video and Sony reached an agreement that saw Crunchyroll join Prime Video under a global distribution agreement, thereby expanding its reach.
If that isn’t enough, streaming giant Netflix is also ramping up its anime catalog. Between the recent release of Onimusha, the upcoming Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and its recent unveiling of a Terminator anime project, the streamer is betting big on the media format and going all in with it.
Shaman King Flowers is scheduled to premiere on January 9, 2024. In the meantime, fans can catch up on the original anime series on Netflix, and Blu-ray versions are available via Discotek Media.
